Darren Wethers, MD, CPE, FACP

I was introduced to the Maricopa County Medical Society shortly after moving to Phoenix in May 2015. The staff welcomed me to the area and encouraged my participation in the Society. The open-door approach to an unknown new physician impressed me immensely.

The Society’s email newsletters have helped me become familiar with the issues which our local physicians are grappling with, and to become aware of local events of interest. I participated in the NKF of Arizona “Path to Wellness” health screening after seeing an appeal for volunteers in the newsletter. This led to a subsequent invitation to join the NKF of Arizona Medical Advisory Board.  Participating in the MCMS programs has provided an introduction to the Phoenix area medical leadership and activities, which I would have lacked without this exposure.

I was a primary care medical physician for twenty years prior to becoming a health plan medical director. The concerns of PCPs and specialists are still relevant for me; in this regard, I believe I can be an effective advocate for the physicians of Maricopa County. The past seven years of work for Coventry, Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona also provided an insight into the concerns insurers have regarding quality of care, appropriate cost containment and provision of care for the right cost in the right setting.

As a member of the Board of Directors, I serve on the Membership and Mentoring Committee, and had the honor of representing MCMS as a delegate at the 2017 ARMA annual meeting.   I look forward to meeting new members to the Society this year, and encourage both new and continuing members to participate in the events planned for 2019.